| A probation period is a clause that employers | | | | Depending on your situation, you might consider |
| typically include when extending a job offer to a | | | | letting the potential employer know during the job |
| new staff member. | | | | offer negotiation stage that having consistent |
| In my experience, the probation period is usually 3 | | | | medical benefit coverage as you switch jobs is |
| months or 6 months in length although it could be | | | | important to you. |
| longer. In most cases I've seen, a 3-month | | | | In many cases, it can be a negotiating point that |
| probation period is fairly standard. | | | | you discuss with the employer and can improve |
| What does it mean to you in practice? | | | | upon or in the best case, get the employer to get |
| Depending on local employment laws and policies | | | | rid of completely. |
| of the company in question, the probation period | | | | I've negotiated job offers for people where I've |
| is typically used to protect the employer if they | | | | been able to eliminate the probation period |
| hire someone who doesn't work out as planned | | | | completely with regards to medical benefits. In |
| and they need to terminate the person. | | | | other words, rather than having to wait for the |
| Typically, it usually means that the employer can | | | | probation period to pass before medical benefits |
| terminate a new employee within the probation | | | | kick in, the employer agreed that the employee |
| period with or without cause. | | | | would be entitled to benefits from day one on the |
| It can also mean that certain things such as | | | | job. |
| company medical benefits don't kick in until the | | | | In other cases, I've seen where company policy |
| probation period is over. | | | | dictates that no one gets the probation period for |
| This can cause a bit of trouble if you rely on | | | | medical benefits eliminated or reduced and the |
| medical benefits - especially if you have a family - | | | | employee had to decide whether or not the |
| and are worried about leaving your current | | | | probation period was a strong enough reason for |
| employer where you have paid medical benefits | | | | not accepting the job. |
| and are thinking about moving to a company | | | | If medical benefits (or other benefits that are |
| where you'll have to wait several months for the | | | | delayed by a probation period) are important to |
| medical benefits to kick in. | | | | you, checking with a potential employer during the |
| Negotiating a reduced probation period is | | | | job offer negotiation stage about the possibility of |
| something that you might consider when you are | | | | receiving these benefits from day one on the job |
| speaking with a potential employer about a job | | | | is an option you should consider. |
| offer. | | | | |